PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Kryztov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Collins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Collins's choice of entrance music: I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kryztov
vs
Collins

180 cm
24
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kryztov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Collins!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Kryztov darts in looking for a takedown but Collins gets double underhooks and turns Kryztov into the cage.
Kryztov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Collins pinned against the cage. Collins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kryztov forces Collins back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kryztov jumps guard but Collins turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Kryztov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kryztov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kryztov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kryztov has Collins pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Collins manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Collins takes a knee right on the jaw!

Kryztov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kryztov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Collins.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Collins throws a strike but Kryztov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kryztov is looking to work some ground and pound but Collins has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kryztov throwing strikes from guard but Collins blocks nicely.
Collins wants to sweep here but Kryztov controlling him for the moment.
Collins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kryztov.
Kryztov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Collins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kryztov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kryztov is looking to work some ground and pound but Collins has wrist control.
Kryztov scoring with some ground and pound.
Collins preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kryztov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kryztov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kryztov is looking to work some ground and pound but Collins has wrist control.
Kryztov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kryztov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kryztov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kryztov throwing strikes from guard but Collins blocks nicely.
Collins is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kryztov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Collins looks winded!
Kryztov throwing strikes but missing.

Kryztov gets to his feet - Collins follows without any prompting.

Kryztov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kryztov is trying to drag Collins to the mat but Collins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kryztov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Collins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kryztov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kryztov shoots for a takedown but Collins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Collins unleashes a big counter combination but Kryztov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kryztov shoots in looking for a takedown. Collins tries to sprawl out of it but Kryztov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Collins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Collins throws a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kryztov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Collins's guard.
Collins is wriggling around but Kryztov manages to pass to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Collins blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kryztov.
Kryztov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Collins's head.
Kryztov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kryztov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kryztov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kryztov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Collins's head.
Collins is breathing heavily.
Collins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kryztov.
Kryztov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Collins defending well though.
Nice strikes from Kryztov there.
Kryztov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Collins's head.
Kryztov thows a huge punch but Collins dodges it nicely.
Kryztov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kryztov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kryztov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Collins defends it well.
Collins keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kryztov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Collins can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kryztov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Kryztov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Collins's waist but Collins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kryztov off to one side.
As Kryztov backs off Collins throws a huge counter combo but Kryztov manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Kryztov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kryztov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kryztov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Collins gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Kryztov wants the takedown. Collins is fighting it off but Kryztov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Collins's guard against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kryztov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Collins utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kryztov throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kryztov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kryztov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kryztov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kryztov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Collins's head.
Kryztov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kryztov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kryztov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kryztov closes the distance and clinches.

Kryztov pulls guard effortlessly.
Kryztov is adopting a defensive guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Collins wants to get up but he can't break Kryztov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kryztov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kryztov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kryztov throwing shots but Collins is blocking nicely.
Collins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kryztov stalling.
Kryztov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Collins's head.
Kryztov thows a huge punch but Collins dodges it nicely.
Kryztov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Collins defending well though.
Kryztov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kryztov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Kryztov wants to work for an arm triangle but Collins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Collins is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kryztov scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kryztov winds up and cracks Collins with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kryztov throwing shots but Collins is blocking nicely.

Kryztov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Collins is just riding it out for now. Kryztov eventually gives up the hold.
Kryztov lands with a punch from half guard.
Kryztov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Collins has hold of Kryztov's hands but Kryztov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Kryztov is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kryztov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kryztov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Collins defending well though.
Kryztov throwing shots but Collins is blocking nicely.
Kryztov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kryztov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Collins defending well though.
Kryztov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kryztov throwing shots but Collins is blocking nicely.
Kryztov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Collins defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kryztov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Collins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kryztov.
Kryztov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Collins's head.

Collins is defending against the submission attempts here by Kryztov.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Collins has hold of Kryztov's hands but Kryztov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Collins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kryztov.
Michael Collins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexander Kryztov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kryztov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Collins with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Kryztov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kryztov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight for Alexander Kryztov!
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight for Alexander Kryztov!
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Alexander Kryztov!

Alexander Kryztov wins by unanimous decision!